Deputy School Business Manager

The Deputy School Business Manager is a pivotal operational and business support role at Crestwood Community School. Working directly under the leadership and direction of the School Business Manager (SBM), the post-holder will oversee daily financial operations, line manage the Finance Officer, and help ensure our core non-teaching support functions run smoothly across both campuses. This post represents an ideal development opportunity for an experienced finance or administration professional currently working within a school setting or similar environment who is looking to take the next step in their career. Operating within a friendly, busy office environment, you will work closely with the SBM to support continuous improvement and non-teaching operations, ensuring that teaching and learning can flourish at the school. As our strategic financial and business leader, you will be accountable for: Operational Financial Management and Team Leadership - Line manage and support the Finance Officer, providing day-to-day guidance, workload management, and professional development. - Oversee procurement, expenditure, internal trading, purchasing cards, payment processing, and expense reconciliations. - Manage debt recovery, lettings administration, resource allocation, and school trip reservations. - Maintain rigorous internal controls, financial accuracy, and compliance with financial regulations. Strategic Financial Support and Income Generation - Work closely alongside the School Business Manager to assist with comprehensive financial planning, setting long-term budgets, and monitoring a budget in excess of £12m. - Help prepare regular financial reports and projections for the SBM, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), and Governing Body. Compliance, Governance & Data Protection - Serve as the school’s designated Deputy Data Protection Officer, maintaining full compliance with statutory data protection regulations and UK GDPR. - Ensure robust adherence to statutory requirements, advising the SBM, SLT, and Governors on operational and financial compliance matters as required. Operational Support & Core Functions Oversight - Assist the SBM in providing direction and oversight across the school's core support functions: HR, Site/Premises, Catering, and IT. - Liaise collaboratively with the broader support leadership structure, including the three Bursars and the Catering Manager, to ensure cohesive operations across both school campuses. The ideal candidate will possess experience in financial administration, business management, or operational support, preferably within a school setting, although training and ongoing mentoring will be provided by the School Business Manager, SLT, Governors, and office staff to support your progression and success in the role. You will be an adept people manager with strong interpersonal skills, capable of influencing and engaging colleagues at all levels to implement school-wide strategic changes. Strong organisational skills, the ability to manage complex, concurrent strategic projects, and resilience under pressure are essential. Your passion for improving the life chances of our students and families, 36% of whom receive free school meals, is critical, as is a commitment to the cohesive ethos of the #Crestwoodfamily.